CF Plain Weave: Try Again
I have found out the hard way that some of my carbon fibre decals – specifically, the plain weave – don’t look right. The pattern is just too large to fit the scale of the model. Here is a sample from the cockpit (images from Super Detail File: Mazda 787B) showing that the plain weave used is very fine. Scale Motorsport‘s 1/12 decals (part 1412) have too big a pattern so I am changing to their 1/24 scale decals.
Plain weave used in the cockpit and elsewhere – fine pattern 
Wave pattern used in the cockpit and monocoque – larger pattern
On the plus side, the wave pattern (twill weave?) used on the Mazda is much larger and I think it’s well represesnted by Model Factory Hiro ‘s part 1135.
So, after sending the dashboard to the ‘sin bin’ (a jar filled with acetone) and repainting, I am redoing all the plain weave carbon fiber decals for Sections 1 and 2 – dashboard, dashboard cover, and fuses. I have also redone the top of the fuel filler necks.
Dashboard Cover in More Detail
The most most complex piece (so far, anyway) to cover with CF decals is the dashboard cover (part RE14) as it has a ‘bump’ in it which curves in two directions. It took me many attempts to get this covered, so I thought I would share my final, successful, attempt in a series of photos. The decal was cut oversize and initially stretched over the bump. I then used Micro Set and Micro Sol to progressively soften and sag the decal down over the bump. The main ingredient here is patience – I nursed this one decal over the painted part for 9 hours during the day, and then let it dry overnight…
0 hr: Decal applied with Micro Set, initial stretching to get the flat parts adhered 
1 hr: More Micro Set, more streching, flat parts are mostly adhered without wrinkles 
2 hrs: More Micro Set, more stretching, now just focussed on the bump 
3.5 hrs: Decal is adhered all around the bump, softened only with Micro Set 
5.5 hrs: Micro Sol applied, wrinkles are going. Pin pricks are needed to let the air out of this big bubble. 
7.5 hrs: More Micro Sol, more popping the bubble and some gentle pressure – the bump is adhered and most wrinkles are gone 
8 hrs: Edges and holes cleaned up, more Micro Sol applied – only some very fine wrinkles remain 
Overnight (17 hrs): After more Micro Sol and drying overnight, only some tiny marks remain of the wrinkles
Here is the completed part, with the other decals applied, and the whole thing covered with a Satin Varnish top coat. Some tiny wrinkles can still be seen BUT the part actually looks better in real life. The pattern is probably still too big for scale, but any smaller and it wouldn’t be worth applying the decals.
I will show some other CF parts – the dashboard and fuel cell in particular – in my next post.
Jason's Mazda 787B Build 
Awesome tutorial Jason. I’ve used ScaleMotorsport carbon decal a fair bit but didn’t realise how stretchy it was given time and patience. Great job.
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Hi Robin, thanks for the comment. The decals were pretty tough BUT only until the Micro Sol is on them … once that stuff is on the decals will split, or the colour will rub off, with anything but the most sensitive handling. I found pressing the decal was OK but rubbing it was BAD.
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